190 institutions electrified in Chivi

TATENDA CHIKARA IN CHIVI

Zimbabwe’s Rural Electrification Fund (REF) has to date electrified 190 institutions in Chivi district, Masvingo Province, Energy and Power Development minister Soda Zhemu has said.

“In Masvingo Province alone, the REF has electrified 1351 institutions of which 190 institutions are in Chivi district. These include 47 out of 91 primary schools, 34 out of 40 secondary schools and 17 out of 18 rural health centres meaning only 1 health centre has been left,” Zhemu said at the commissioning of the electrification project at Chamanhanzva School.

He added: “We talked to patients at Zivuku clinic to hear the truth if REF had electrified the institutions and they showed happiness that they were no longer bringing their own lights when they want to receive health services, especially pregnant women.”

Chief Nemauzhe, born Nelson Murandu  and whose area hosted the event, told Business Times that as a community they had been losing best teachers due to shortage of electricity at their local schools.

“When I see this programme happening in my area especially at Zivuku business centre, Chamanhanzva School and Zivuku clinic, I see development because we had been losing the best teachers, those who teach science subjects going to places where there is electricity,” Nemauzhe said.

Also present during the commissioning project was the Minister of State for Provincial affairs and Devolution for Masvingo Province Ezra Chadzamira who commended the rural electrification programme saying this would reduce cutting down of trees.

“This programme of rural electrification will see rural people bridging the gap with those in towns as well as reducing cases of cutting down of trees for firewood. If we have electricity in rural areas, this will help us conserve our trees.

“Cutting down of trees for firewood causes soil erosion as well as climate change which has affected our rainy seasons,” Chadzamira said.